Problem with NASA Wind System

[Queeg]

Hi - new to this forum so apologies if I've missed this information elsewhere.
My boat has a fairly old NASA Clipper wind system which was working well until two years ago when the spindle of the masthead unit fell out in a gale. NASA fixed that at a very reasonable price, but since getting it back I've been unable to get it to talk to the display unit at all. The display unit acts completely dead, although it certainly has power and does appear to be sending 5v to the MHU on the red lead. Any ideas or similar problems?

Any help greatly appreciated

Les Morss

 

[whiteoaks7]

Nothing on the display at all? i.e. it doesn;t tell you 0.0 for speed for example? If it has no life at all then try disconnecting the MHU and see if life returns (maybe the MHU is pulling the supply down?) Difficult to diagnose from a distance.

for the record the wiring between display and MHU maps like this (on mine anyway):

MHU.............Display.............Function
Bk................Or...................direction - voltage level
Bl.................R....................direction - voltage level
R..................Bk.................. + 5v d.c.
W.................P................... Speed pulse (peak about +3 v from memory)
Scrn..............Scrn.............. 0 v d.c. (not grounded at MHU and maybe not at display)

Bk black; Bl blue; Or orange; R red; W white; P purple; Scrn screen

only NASA could connect a black core to a red one!!!!!

 

[Magaz97]

I had the same symptoms last season. Replaced the mast head unit, and then found that my previously working display head was dead. I never did revive it and ended up buying a replacement head unit.

 

[crossbones]

nasa wind system

Whiteoaks7's suggestion is sound if you have a blank display. If the display reeds zero speed and a fixed direction then recheck the connections.

There are five connections. Four colours:- red goes to red , blue to blue, black to black and white to white. The drain wire in the screen also must be connected.

 

[Seajet]

Queeg,

if you search these forums you'll find that every couple of weeks someone mentions NASA wind speed & direction kit letting them down - it's rubbish,without even a bearing on the anemometer and cups which aren't sunlight proof.

My recommendation would be to remove it completely and use a Windex ( which shows at night via the masthead light ) & wool tufts on the shrouds, as for windspeed I know when I'm frustrated, happy, or frightened !

 

[ghostlymoron]

Queeg,

if you search these forums you'll find that every couple of weeks someone mentions NASA wind speed & direction kit letting them down - it's rubbish,without even a bearing on the anemometer and cups which aren't sunlight proof.

My recommendation would be to remove it completely and use a Windex ( which shows at night via the masthead light ) & wool tufts on the shrouds, as for windspeed I know when I'm frustrated, happy, or frightened !

Agreed! Even more expensive units have given me trouble. Whilst it's interesting to know the wind speed, why do you need it? - everything has to be digital now to be credible. Experience should tell you when it's time to reef/put up the cruising chute etc.

 

[pvb]

My boat has a fairly old NASA Clipper wind system which was working well until two years ago when the spindle of the masthead unit fell out in a gale. NASA fixed that at a very reasonable price, but since getting it back I've been unable to get it to talk to the display unit at all. The display unit acts completely dead, although it certainly has power and does appear to be sending 5v to the MHU on the red lead. Any ideas or similar problems?

Welcome to the forums. As others have suggested, Nasa wind systems are built to a less than satisfactory standard (understatement) and you'd be better off replacing it.

 

[Tintin]

Welcome to the forums. As others have suggested, Nasa wind systems are built to a less than satisfactory standard (understatement) and you'd be better off replacing it.

No problems with any of my nasa kit, and they are very helpful on the phone.

 

[theoldplucker]

Take the back off NASA display unit and clean up connections. Usually works for me. Only needs a little invisible corrosion to stop small currents flowing.
Another + here for NASA

 

[V1701]

I fitted a windex then removed the NASA unit, didn't really trust or take much notice of it & found the wee indicator was too small to use like a windex. Have considered one of those Tack Tick wireless ones but too expensive versus usefulnessI feel...

 

[Queeg]

Hi - new to this forum so apologies if I've missed this information elsewhere.
My boat has a fairly old NASA Clipper wind system which was working well until two years ago when the spindle of the masthead unit fell out in a gale. NASA fixed that at a very reasonable price, but since getting it back I've been unable to get it to talk to the display unit at all. The display unit acts completely dead, although it certainly has power and does appear to be sending 5v to the MHU on the red lead. Any ideas or similar problems?

Any help greatly appreciated

Les Morss

Hi David

Thanks for that. My display is just now disconnected completely from the MHU and is sitting on my desk powered by a motorbike battery. The display does look completely dead but is generating 5v at the red lead and +1 on the blue and black wrt the sheath. Seems as if my symptoms are the same as Magaz97

Les DEVA

 

[stevensuf]

I ended up fitting the tack tick wireless unit, simply to save running a cable up the mast, works well so far!

 

[NigelFortune]

Nasa Wind Blank

I had a similar problem last year. Screen blank but no voltage on red wire. Took display home noticed it was rattling ! Stripped back off and found 5Vt regulator in bottom of display. Solder melted and had fell off. Only explanation as "maybe" I had shorted output out and regulator had gone into short circuit mode and just overheated melting the solder. Resoldered regulator onto PCB put it back together and fitted to boat, worked a treat.

Nigel

PS Anybody want 2 regulator chips I didn't need !

 

[Ardenfour]

Mine's in bits on the kitchen table just now after the pin on my MHU went awol. I'm doing some mods to it and will post some pics when done (and tested!)